Apple recommends excluding files

[JAC II]

I want to make an EXACT clone of my system.

It isn't an exact clone if it doesn't include files that "Apple recommends excluding", is it? (I am not very technical so please keep the answer(s) easy to understand) What is the nature of the files that Apple wants excluded? Are they files that will be recreated when the clone starts up? Why does Apple want them excluded? Is it a copyright problem? I did a fair amount of searching and couldn't find anything in depth on this.


Thanks in advance for the help.

[dnanian]

We tried to be clear in the WGTH? section, but basically we don't copy those things that are automatically recreated on the other system when you boot. These include Unix temporary files and virtual memory swap files, plus a few special files that -- again -- are part of the OS and shouldn't be copied.

Note, though, that there are some programs (the latest version of Quark is a good example) that "lock" themselves to the drive that you're physically on. Copying Quark -- even if you copy every file, and we do -- doesn't mean it'll still be activated on the other drive. They're working hard to make sure that isn't the case. So, you'd have to re-activate it, and any other program that tries to do nasty things like that.

Otherwise, though, you *are* making an "effective" exact clone. (It's usually best, in this kind of case, to name the backup the same as the original volume, too.)

Hope that helps.

[JAC II]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you !!!!

What is the WGTH? section? I took about a 1/2 hour reading everything I could find.

Your explanation is great though, thanks again.

[dnanian]

The "What's going to happen?" section in the main SD! window.

In any case, glad to help!

[jtk]

These include Unix temporary files and virtual memory swap files, plus a few special files that -- again -- are part of the OS and shouldn't be copied.

Any chance you could provide a list or, better still, a link to the Apple TN or KB article that lists these? Thanks!

[dnanian]

Just take a look at the copy script, jtk.

[jtk]

Doh! Yeah, I forgot that those were there. My bad.